JLS - X Factor 2008

JLS have admitted that they look upon singer Lemar as their big brother and said that he offered them career advice during his recent UK tour.

“He really gave us a lot of guidance, a lot of wisdom and showed us the ropes a little bit,” Ortise told PA.

“He was fantastic and he was a big inspiration to us and he’s done so incredibly well in his career. Lemar was like a big brother to us on his tour, you know.”

Marvin added: “You have to admire Lemar for his staying power. He didn’t even win Fame Academy, I can’t remember where he came but it wasn’t first or second or anything like that but he’s still here.

“There’s not many people who have come off reality TV programmes, there’s only Lemar and Leona and Will Young, I would say, and Girls Aloud.

“They’re probably the only top tour acts that have had the real staying power for being proper artists. So you have to admire that in him.”